Mill Wood

The woodland around Mill Wood offers a proper escape from Oxford's academic bustle without needing to venture far. It's a genuine forest walk rather than a manicured nature reserve - the sort of place where you'll find yourself on narrow paths with overhanging branches and the occasional muddy patch that keeps things interesting.

Walkers will get the most from this one. There's real woodland to explore, with decent paths that work well for a couple of hours of rambling. Kids can burn off energy chasing between the trees, though it's not a destination that'll keep under-tens entertained for a full day - you're looking at maybe an hour before restlessness sets in. The forest isn't spectacularly dramatic or famous for anything particular, which is rather the point. It's honest woodland.

Heading out from Oxford means you're well-positioned for combining this with the caravan parks scattered around the edges of the Cotswolds. Cotswold View is only 4.8 miles away, making it an easy morning walk if you're based there. The surrounding landscape works well for exploring the quieter bits of Oxfordshire, away from the tourist trail.

Timing? Any season works, though autumn when the canopy colours up is when it feels most rewarding. Spring's good too for bluebells if you time it right. Come midweek if you can - weekends pull in families from Oxford itself. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so bring water and check your phone signal before heading in. Free access, no nonsense.